PhD student in Chemistry with specialization in Organic Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences conducts research and education in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. More than 100 people, including around 45 PhD students, work at the department. New employees and students are recruited from all over the world and English is the main working language. The department is located at the Biomedical Centre in Uppsala, which facilitates collaborations with research groups in biology, pharmacy, medicine and SciLifeLab and gives access to advanced infrastructure for experimental and theoretical studies. The international environment and good opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations enables PhD students at the department to participate in relevant research projects and prepare for an international research career.

Read more about the research at The Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences at our website. 

Project description
The Streuff group is internationally renowned for the development of innovative synthesis methods, particularly in the area of early transition metal catalysis. The project focuses on the investigation and development of single-electron-transfer reactions using low-valent titanium catalysis and related reagents/catalysts. Additional projects in areas such as new bond cleavage and defunctionalization reactions, the elucidation of reaction mechanisms in catalysis, and total synthesis are available as well and can be discussed at a later stage.

Duties
The main duties of PhD students are to devote themselves to their research studies, which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (not more than 20 % of full time).

Read more about being a Doctoral student here.

Requirements

• To be eligible for doctoral education, a basic higher education equivalent to at least 240 ECTS credits, including at least 60 ECTS credits at Master’s level, including an independent project equivalent to at least 15 credits, or has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way, is required. More information about the general requirements can be found here. 
• A student has special eligibility for doctoral studies in organic chemistry if s/he has passed courses of at least 90 higher education credits (or equivalent) of courses relevant to the specialization. At least 40 higher education credits must be in organic chemistry at an advanced level (second cycle). More information about the subject specific requirements can be found here.
• Very good English proficiency in speech and writing
• A Master of Science degree in organic chemistry or equivalent

Emphasis will also be placed on personal qualities such as good collaborative skills, motivation, and independence, as well as how the applicant through his/her experience and competence is judged to have the abilities necessary to develop within and acquire the doctoral education.

Additional qualifications

• Hands-on experience with NMR spectroscopy will be seen as very strong merit

Experience working under inert gas atmosphere will be seen as a strong merit. The ability of critical and analytical thinking are necessities and will therefore be valued at the selection of candidates. Experience in method development in organic chemistry, transition metal catalysis, or organic synthesis will be seen as advantageous. Great emphasis will be put on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You have good communication skills, where through this quality you cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write academic text.

The selection of applicants will be based on undergraduate education profile and any additional research experience in areas relevant to the research project. Such experience should be documented and included in the application, for example through articles published in international peer-reviewed journals or through employment at companies or other institutions active in the specific research area. Great importance will be placed on personal qualifications required for the project

When filling these positions, we strive to recruit those individuals who, through an overall assessment of competence, skills and documented merits, are deemed to be most suitable to implement and develop the relevant project and contribute to the positive development of the institution.

Doctoral students normally participate for some in teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels. Previous experience from teaching/mentoring, also from environments outside of school/university, as well as other outreach activities may therefore be an advantage.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100%. The intended starting date is 2026-10-01 or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Jan Streuff (e-mail: jan.streuff@kemi.uu.se, +4618-471 3801).

Please submit your application by 11 September 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2222.